At least 15 people were killed in a stampede at the Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu festival held at the confluence of the sacred Ganges and Yamuna rivers in the city of Prayagraj in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, AFP reported, citing a source in the Indian medical services.
According to him, many festival-goers were injured and hospitalized, some of them in serious condition.
The Indian newspaper Hindustan Times also reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after information emerged about the hustle and bustle.
The festival is held in northern India every 12 years. Since it began on January 13, more than 110 million pilgrims have taken part in it and bathed in the Ganges. In just 45 days, the festival is expected to attract 450 million people, including 1.5 million foreigners. Participants are counted using artificial intelligence.
Agency ANI reported that Modi plans to take part in the festival by bathing in the Ganges.